There are some in the world who have a warped view of Islam, but said that every religion has some form of radicalism to confront.
Source/Credit: WHAM ABC 13 News
By WHAM News | November 16 2015
Local imam calls for peace Updated: Monday, , 06:43 PM EST
Imam Hamid Nasir Malik
Rochester, N.Y. - "I'm aware that ignorance exists," said Imam Hamid Nasir Malik inside the Baitun Naseer Mosque.
"Islam is a religion of peace." Malik said that although the Greater Rochester Area has been understanding after the attacks, that's not the case elsewhere, "In the wake of the Paris attacks, there was some backlash and one of our mosques in Connecticut was vandalized," he said.
"Actually, it was shot at." In an official statement released just one day after Friday's attacks in Paris, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community released a statement condemning the attacks in Paris, but Malik said there's still a great deal of misunderstanding when it comes to Islam.
"Islam means peace," he said.
"The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has been established in more than 207 countries with millions around the world, we're always professing peace." Instead of staying in Rochester where he works, Malik said he has been called to Connecticut to deal with the fear factor, and reach out to the community to clarify any misconceptions about Islam caused by the attacks.
He acknowledged that there are some in the world who have a warped view of Islam, but said that every religion has some form of radicalism to confront.
"ISIS is to Islam what the KKK is to Christianity," he said.
"Perhaps that's one of the most overlooked things." Since the attacks in Paris, there have been multiple reports of possible vandalism directed at mosques.
Malik said that there is no point in taking out anger among Muslims standing in solidarity with the people of France.
"Educate yourself, and don't blame Islam for the act of a band of lunatics," he added.
As for the fear of Syrian refugees in the wake of the Paris attacks, Malik said a similar message applies.
"Most of our ancestors who came to America are refugees, so it would be unfair to deny that right to other people seeking the same peace and sanctity," he said.
"We should definitely allow Syrian refugees, yet they should be very carefully vetted as well."
Read original post here: USA: Local imam calls for peace
This content-post is archived for backup and to keep archived records of any news Islam Ahmadiyya. The views expressed by the author and source of this news archive do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of Ahmadiyya Times. Ahmadiyya Times is not an organ of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, nor in any way associated with any of the community's official websites.
"Islam is a religion of peace." Malik said that although the Greater Rochester Area has been understanding after the attacks, that's not the case elsewhere, "In the wake of the Paris attacks, there was some backlash and one of our mosques in Connecticut was vandalized," he said.
"Actually, it was shot at." In an official statement released just one day after Friday's attacks in Paris, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community released a statement condemning the attacks in Paris, but Malik said there's still a great deal of misunderstanding when it comes to Islam.
"Islam means peace," he said.
"The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has been established in more than 207 countries with millions around the world, we're always professing peace." Instead of staying in Rochester where he works, Malik said he has been called to Connecticut to deal with the fear factor, and reach out to the community to clarify any misconceptions about Islam caused by the attacks.
He acknowledged that there are some in the world who have a warped view of Islam, but said that every religion has some form of radicalism to confront.
"ISIS is to Islam what the KKK is to Christianity," he said.
"Perhaps that's one of the most overlooked things." Since the attacks in Paris, there have been multiple reports of possible vandalism directed at mosques.
Malik said that there is no point in taking out anger among Muslims standing in solidarity with the people of France.
"Educate yourself, and don't blame Islam for the act of a band of lunatics," he added.
As for the fear of Syrian refugees in the wake of the Paris attacks, Malik said a similar message applies.
"Most of our ancestors who came to America are refugees, so it would be unfair to deny that right to other people seeking the same peace and sanctity," he said.
"We should definitely allow Syrian refugees, yet they should be very carefully vetted as well."
Read original post here: USA: Local imam calls for peace
This content-post is archived for backup and to keep archived records of any news Islam Ahmadiyya. The views expressed by the author and source of this news archive do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of Ahmadiyya Times. Ahmadiyya Times is not an organ of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, nor in any way associated with any of the community's official websites.
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